April 29, 2011
Vitamins and Minerals Needed to Promote Healthy Hair Growth
Vitamins and minerals are organic compounds the body needs to function properly. They assist enzymes to boost the absorption of nutrients in food and also help in the body’s metabolism. Reduced intake on the other hand can cause all kinds health problems depending on which vitamin is lacking.
Hair loss is a common sign of decreased vitamin and mineral uptake. Understanding which of these compounds can help stimulate hair regrowth and can become an effective hair loss treatment.
Biotin or vitamin B7 is a water soluble vitamin found in abundance in raw eggs, peanuts and liver. Biotin is also called Vitamin H. H stands of haar and haut meaning hair and skin in German. Biotin is needed to keep the hair strong and to prevent thinning hair and split ends.
Other B complex vitamins that are good for the hair are Cobalamin or vitamin B12 and Inositol or vitamin B8. Cobalamin is produced by a bacterium that naturally resides in the gut. Though it is self replenishing, this source is not really reliable since other factors can reduce cobalamin production when the bacteria are compromised, as when taking antibiotics. Food sources are pork and beef liver, cheese, milk and eggs. Cobalamin is important in metabolism of nutrients in the hair cell. It also provides oxygen to the hair cells since this vitamin is also important in blood production.
Inositol is influences healthy and fast hair growth, it also helps maintain the skin and prevent and treat eczema. Beans, fruits, nuts and grains have high concentrations of inositol.
Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant and it also promotes nice shiny healthy hair. Vitamin E influences capillary growth to the hair follicles. This improves blood circulation, thus enhances oxygenation and transport of nutrients to hair cells.
Zinc is a trace element found in the body. It has various roles in protein synthesis, proper absorption of some vitamins, and it is also needed in cell reproduction and mitosis. In the hair, zinc reduces free radicals that can damage the hair cells since zinc too is an antioxidant. Red meats are an excellent source of zinc. Plants rich in zinc are wheat, beans and various nuts.